Minimizing cost of interchange (transfer)

A public transport network based on planned interchange between modes and services is more effective than one that attempts to provide direct linkages between all significant origins and destinations of passenger demand. However, for a transfer-intensive service pattern to sustain public acceptance requires that the costs of interchange for the affected passengers is either minimized or compensated for through specific fare provisions.

Costs of interchange to the passenger can be both financial (where there is no continuing travel authority through the transfer) and personal (in terms of time, safety and comfort). Financial costs can often be minimized through ensuring that points of significant interchange within the network coincide with fare charge boundaries (thus avoiding some duplication of payment), and electronic fare collection processes can provide for a payment rebate to affected passengers to compensate for the personal inconvenience.